Unless you guys would perform the former, I was thinking about mainly the community living in the neighborhood because I don't know what would be acceptable members for the X-Men cast to use (so the latter is kinda like Danny the Street but without the sentient street, if that makes any sense or requires further explaining).
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Rewriting it...
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Speaking of Venom... how would y'all feel if I did something like District X/Mutopia X/Mutant Town instead?
VENOM
THE ALCOVE, ALPHABET CITY
PLENTY OF TIME
The blissful sleep lasted for only a few hours due to the sound of random honking in the dead of night. Eddie was almost tempted to inspect the source and take his frustration out on the driver. But it had died down almost in an instant. Now, he was standing in his apartment, irritated that he was wide awake. His partner, however, was in perfect spirits as if nothing more than a minor inconvenience had occurred mere moments ago.
Thought you'd never wake up, sleepyhead. Venom purred teasingly.
Eddie chose to avoid the sarcasm and grumbled softly as he trudged to the kitchen. He swung open the fridge and rummaged through the shelves for a cold bottle of coffee. "Well, I do need my sleep," he said, closing the fridge with a slight thud. After taking a long, satisfying sip, Eddie raised an eyebrow at the symbiote. "Kinda surprised you aren't in your dormant state. What's got you up and about?"
Boredom strikes us fast. Venom dismissed, already prowling towards the window, his excitement palpable. So come on, let's hit the town!
"It's still night," Eddie shot back before grabbing his phone off the floor, noticing it was unplugged from the charger. He winced at the sight.
And? Venom pressed, his eagerness undeterred.
Suppressing a sigh, Eddie distracted himself by unlocking the phone, where a notification immediately caught his eye—a robbery in progress in Lower Manhattan, courtesy of Step Forward. His irritation deepened. The NYPD's latest initiative was nothing but an anxiety-generator tool designed to benefit from people's fears. Selling safety as a commodity that embraces unverifiable reports tainted by biases and prejudices. All the while, the symbiote's insatiable desire for crime-fighting became apparent. Venom sensed the change in Eddie's demeanor- "I thought we talked about this," Eddie said, his voice tense as he plugged his phone back in.
Then why bother coming back home? Venom countered, pressing on. Deep down, we know why. It isn't just about keeping a low profile-
"Stop."
-or evading the police or even the webhead. It has always been the fear of-
"Please, just stop." Eddie's voice trembled.
Why? You said it's liberating to face your fears head-on. Yours, in particular, is something we can tackle together. We could be a lethal protector, not driven by malice or spite but by a genuine desire to protect the innocent. Protect them from-
Suddenly, Eddie flung open the window; the sheer force rattled the frame, letting the cool night air wash over him. He stood there, body shaking, wrestling with his anger, each breath coming in sharp and ragged. It took him a minute to steady himself and take deep breaths. Another to find the words he needed to say. "Never do that shit again, okay? Never."
Understood. Venom replied, his voice strangely sincere.
"You're right, though," Eddie admitted, his tone shifting. "Facing your fears is supposed to be liberating—at least, that's what all those self-help books claim. But maybe I'm just afraid of confronting them. Maybe I am being a coward again. It won't surprise me, quite honestly. I've disappointed myself and others enough times already. But hey, at least I recognize it for once, you know. So I guess that counts for something. I don't want to hide anymore, not in this cramped apartment or anywhere else. So, if you think stepping up as a protector will help me fight my fears, why the hell not? It might just be one of the better ideas you've had in a while."
Venom was silent, realizing what they had just done. A promise made years ago was broken tonight, and all for petty reasons. Admittedly, they fucked up. Eddie, we-
"Come," Eddie said bitterly and then climbed out of the window onto a fire escape. "The night's young."
Thought you'd never wake up, sleepyhead. Venom purred teasingly.
Eddie chose to avoid the sarcasm and grumbled softly as he trudged to the kitchen. He swung open the fridge and rummaged through the shelves for a cold bottle of coffee. "Well, I do need my sleep," he said, closing the fridge with a slight thud. After taking a long, satisfying sip, Eddie raised an eyebrow at the symbiote. "Kinda surprised you aren't in your dormant state. What's got you up and about?"
Boredom strikes us fast. Venom dismissed, already prowling towards the window, his excitement palpable. So come on, let's hit the town!
"It's still night," Eddie shot back before grabbing his phone off the floor, noticing it was unplugged from the charger. He winced at the sight.
And? Venom pressed, his eagerness undeterred.
Suppressing a sigh, Eddie distracted himself by unlocking the phone, where a notification immediately caught his eye—a robbery in progress in Lower Manhattan, courtesy of Step Forward. His irritation deepened. The NYPD's latest initiative was nothing but an anxiety-generator tool designed to benefit from people's fears. Selling safety as a commodity that embraces unverifiable reports tainted by biases and prejudices. All the while, the symbiote's insatiable desire for crime-fighting became apparent. Venom sensed the change in Eddie's demeanor- "I thought we talked about this," Eddie said, his voice tense as he plugged his phone back in.
Then why bother coming back home? Venom countered, pressing on. Deep down, we know why. It isn't just about keeping a low profile-
"Stop."
-or evading the police or even the webhead. It has always been the fear of-
"Please, just stop." Eddie's voice trembled.
Why? You said it's liberating to face your fears head-on. Yours, in particular, is something we can tackle together. We could be a lethal protector, not driven by malice or spite but by a genuine desire to protect the innocent. Protect them from-
Suddenly, Eddie flung open the window; the sheer force rattled the frame, letting the cool night air wash over him. He stood there, body shaking, wrestling with his anger, each breath coming in sharp and ragged. It took him a minute to steady himself and take deep breaths. Another to find the words he needed to say. "Never do that shit again, okay? Never."
Understood. Venom replied, his voice strangely sincere.
"You're right, though," Eddie admitted, his tone shifting. "Facing your fears is supposed to be liberating—at least, that's what all those self-help books claim. But maybe I'm just afraid of confronting them. Maybe I am being a coward again. It won't surprise me, quite honestly. I've disappointed myself and others enough times already. But hey, at least I recognize it for once, you know. So I guess that counts for something. I don't want to hide anymore, not in this cramped apartment or anywhere else. So, if you think stepping up as a protector will help me fight my fears, why the hell not? It might just be one of the better ideas you've had in a while."
Venom was silent, realizing what they had just done. A promise made years ago was broken tonight, and all for petty reasons. Admittedly, they fucked up. Eddie, we-
"Come," Eddie said bitterly and then climbed out of the window onto a fire escape. "The night's young."
L E T H A L P R O T E C T O R
Edward Brock/Venom ♦ Symbiote ♦ Alphabet City, East Village ♦
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:
"WE AR BONDED, EDDIE. IN DEATH, ONLY WILL WE PART."
Edward 'Eddie' Brock sought religion, as he had always done, for forgiveness before he went through with his plan. After being laid off from the Daily Bugle and realizing his future had been destined for failure, he wandered into Our Lady of Saints Church for a final prayer before intending to commit suicide. Instead, he encountered an alien presence that bonded with him in body and mind, driven by hatred and despair for Spider-Man and Peter Parker. And what emerged for that church was a revitalized man fueled by venom for the vigilante webhead and his former work rival. For four long years, this relentless campaign swept through the streets of New York, unleashing a wave of fear and terror that targeted not just him but those he held dear. But the spite was starting to run dry as it was a constant cycle of bitter violence. That was around the time when Carnage arrived.
Carnage was a terrifying creature, the ultimate killer driven by an insatiable bloodlust. Eddie and the symbiote initially planned on neutralizing them to learn about their origins, but they were overwhelmed and witnessed harm coming to Eddie's former fiancée, Anne Weying. Desperate for vengeance, they turned to the web-slinger for assistance in stopping the other symbiote. And in the end, in an act to protect Parker's loved ones, Venom tackled Carnage into a fire that seemingly killed both of them. But it wasn't the end. They found themselves washed up on the shores of Massachusetts. Instead of returning to New York, Eddie and the symbiote embarked on a journey of healing and redefining their future—one rid of the malign and despair that brought them together.
Now, after a decade away, hiding away from the world had become tiresome as the march of time was leaving its mark.
Carnage was a terrifying creature, the ultimate killer driven by an insatiable bloodlust. Eddie and the symbiote initially planned on neutralizing them to learn about their origins, but they were overwhelmed and witnessed harm coming to Eddie's former fiancée, Anne Weying. Desperate for vengeance, they turned to the web-slinger for assistance in stopping the other symbiote. And in the end, in an act to protect Parker's loved ones, Venom tackled Carnage into a fire that seemingly killed both of them. But it wasn't the end. They found themselves washed up on the shores of Massachusetts. Instead of returning to New York, Eddie and the symbiote embarked on a journey of healing and redefining their future—one rid of the malign and despair that brought them together.
Now, after a decade away, hiding away from the world had become tiresome as the march of time was leaving its mark.
C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:
Venom had always been one of the favorite comic superheroes to read as well as write about. I wanna focus on an older, somewhat mature Venom/Eddie who finally took the time to reflect on his behavior and decided to return home. At the same time, I was sorta inspired by the three-issue run of Venom: On Trial and the six-issue Venom: Lethal Protector. Additionally, I wanna be able to mesh well with Spider-Man, too, thus being older.
C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:
Anne Weying: Even since her encounter with Carnage, Anne moved out of New York City in favor of San Francisco to move on with her life from the incident. Eddie tried to rekindle their friendship years, but it was better for them to maintain the distance.
Carl Brock: Somehow, the old bastard was still breathing and living relatively comfortably. Eddie hasn't talked to his father since being told how much of a disgrace he had become after getting laid off. The two haven't met since that night.
Carlton Drake: A billionaire who created the Life Foundation, an organization dedicated to safeguarding its ultra-rich clientele in the event of societal collapse. He is willing to spend much to achieve the ideal security system for himself and his clients.
Roland Treece: Another billionaire who founded Treece International, a construction corporation, and a client and investor of the Life Foundation. His company recently secured a lucrative contract with the city to sweep homeless encampments.
Patricia Tilby: Talented television reporter and investigative journalist made famous for her coverage of gentrification in District X that exclusively targeted the mutated population. Recently, she began investigating the underground homeless community.
Carl Brock: Somehow, the old bastard was still breathing and living relatively comfortably. Eddie hasn't talked to his father since being told how much of a disgrace he had become after getting laid off. The two haven't met since that night.
Carlton Drake: A billionaire who created the Life Foundation, an organization dedicated to safeguarding its ultra-rich clientele in the event of societal collapse. He is willing to spend much to achieve the ideal security system for himself and his clients.
Roland Treece: Another billionaire who founded Treece International, a construction corporation, and a client and investor of the Life Foundation. His company recently secured a lucrative contract with the city to sweep homeless encampments.
Patricia Tilby: Talented television reporter and investigative journalist made famous for her coverage of gentrification in District X that exclusively targeted the mutated population. Recently, she began investigating the underground homeless community.
S A M P L E P O S T:
VENOM
OUR LADY OF SAINTS CHURCH
ON A WING...
Upon entering the Our Lady of Saints Church for the first time in decades, there was an immediate wave of nostalgia that washed over Eddie. The tall, earth-toned stained glass window cast a warm glow over the chancel that stirred up memories. The poignant image of his mother's casket adorned with soft white and pink flowers, surrounded by flickering candles that danced around. He then felt his father's piercing glare when he dipped his hand into the consecrated wine to retreat his piece of bread during Holy Communion, a silent promise that he was getting severely punished at home. And that night, under the silver sheen of moonlight, he uttered a final prayer in a whisper, aware of the gravity of his words for his seemingly dwindling time. Cautiously, Eddie approached the altar as his heart was pounding, feeling as if he were intruding upon sacred ground—one that would resent his presence for the weight of the sins he'd committed since his last visit.
Yet, this place was also where he met them.
Home sweet home, Venom purred with a low, contented growl. It was as if the symbiote had been longing for this moment. Everything's still the same, Eddie.
"Yeah, just like before," Eddie echoed, standing before the altar, his mind swirling with uncertainty. What the hell was he even doing here? He shouldn't have even made the trip—it would've been smarter to head to his new place, grab a bite to eat, and then get some much-needed rest. But now, he stood there, drenched in sweat, with his hands hovering over the altar. Just as he hesitated, a voice echoed through the empty church, calling out to him.
"Are you alright, good sir?"
Eddie turned and saw the priest, slightly older than him, with an olive complexion and grayish hair that complemented the dark fabric of his cassock. As he closed the door behind him, the priest approached the altar, his eyes fixed on Eddie, patiently waiting for a response. "I... am, father," Eddie finally uttered, trying to inject steadiness into his voice than he felt: a bundle of nerves acutely aware of how out of place he was here.
"Do you need food? Shelter for the night?" The priest asked, his accent laced with an unmistakable touch of concern for the stranger.
"No, no," Eddie quickly shook his head, trying to muster a warm smile for the act of kindness. "I just came by to visit."
"You've been here before then?" The priest inquired, his eyebrows raised ever so slightly.
Eddie chuckled softly, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. "You could say that."
The priest returned the smile, then turned his attention to the altar, ensuring it was in perfect order. "What's your name?"
DON'T ANSWER, Venom snarled fiercely, their voice laced with suspicion. Even since they had been on the run, their wariness of strangers had only intensified; it never tipped into outright paranoia. Though there were close calls. Drawing from his limited grasp of biology, Eddie speculated it was an intrinsic survival instinct shared by both humans and animals, heightened by his own turbulent emotions. Perhaps he was wrong, given that he was dealing with an alien entity, but it was close enough to a satisfying explanation. Still, he felt stifling, a sensation that grew with every passing second until the priest gently placed a calming hand on Eddie's back.
"It's okay. I didn't mean to unsettle you, son." The priest said softly, his frown transforming into a look of empathy. "If you need some space, I completely understand. Or if you'd prefer, I'm here to listen to your confession whenever you're ready."
Confession? The word struck Eddie like lightning. It was something he had nearly forgotten—something he hadn't experienced in years. Certainly not since high school. And definitely not since the whirlwind that was the symbiote had entered his life. For years, he had let spite fuel his every action, inflicting pain on countless lives, all driven by a singular obsession to settle the score with one man. When his attempts were foiled, he even turned his wrath on those the man held dear without a second thought... Maybe confessing wasn't such a bad idea after all. But not just yet; Eddie must navigate this conversation carefully, shielding the monstrous truth lurking beneath his skin.
"Thanks for the offer, but I should be going, Father," Eddie replied, feeling the weight of his decision settle in his chest.
As he turned to leave, a warm grin spread across his face at the priest's farewell words: "You're always welcome back here." Those words ignited a comforting warmth in his heart as he stepped back out into the cold, icy night.
Yet, this place was also where he met them.
Home sweet home, Venom purred with a low, contented growl. It was as if the symbiote had been longing for this moment. Everything's still the same, Eddie.
"Yeah, just like before," Eddie echoed, standing before the altar, his mind swirling with uncertainty. What the hell was he even doing here? He shouldn't have even made the trip—it would've been smarter to head to his new place, grab a bite to eat, and then get some much-needed rest. But now, he stood there, drenched in sweat, with his hands hovering over the altar. Just as he hesitated, a voice echoed through the empty church, calling out to him.
"Are you alright, good sir?"
Eddie turned and saw the priest, slightly older than him, with an olive complexion and grayish hair that complemented the dark fabric of his cassock. As he closed the door behind him, the priest approached the altar, his eyes fixed on Eddie, patiently waiting for a response. "I... am, father," Eddie finally uttered, trying to inject steadiness into his voice than he felt: a bundle of nerves acutely aware of how out of place he was here.
"Do you need food? Shelter for the night?" The priest asked, his accent laced with an unmistakable touch of concern for the stranger.
"No, no," Eddie quickly shook his head, trying to muster a warm smile for the act of kindness. "I just came by to visit."
"You've been here before then?" The priest inquired, his eyebrows raised ever so slightly.
Eddie chuckled softly, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. "You could say that."
The priest returned the smile, then turned his attention to the altar, ensuring it was in perfect order. "What's your name?"
DON'T ANSWER, Venom snarled fiercely, their voice laced with suspicion. Even since they had been on the run, their wariness of strangers had only intensified; it never tipped into outright paranoia. Though there were close calls. Drawing from his limited grasp of biology, Eddie speculated it was an intrinsic survival instinct shared by both humans and animals, heightened by his own turbulent emotions. Perhaps he was wrong, given that he was dealing with an alien entity, but it was close enough to a satisfying explanation. Still, he felt stifling, a sensation that grew with every passing second until the priest gently placed a calming hand on Eddie's back.
"It's okay. I didn't mean to unsettle you, son." The priest said softly, his frown transforming into a look of empathy. "If you need some space, I completely understand. Or if you'd prefer, I'm here to listen to your confession whenever you're ready."
Confession? The word struck Eddie like lightning. It was something he had nearly forgotten—something he hadn't experienced in years. Certainly not since high school. And definitely not since the whirlwind that was the symbiote had entered his life. For years, he had let spite fuel his every action, inflicting pain on countless lives, all driven by a singular obsession to settle the score with one man. When his attempts were foiled, he even turned his wrath on those the man held dear without a second thought... Maybe confessing wasn't such a bad idea after all. But not just yet; Eddie must navigate this conversation carefully, shielding the monstrous truth lurking beneath his skin.
"Thanks for the offer, but I should be going, Father," Eddie replied, feeling the weight of his decision settle in his chest.
As he turned to leave, a warm grin spread across his face at the priest's farewell words: "You're always welcome back here." Those words ignited a comforting warmth in his heart as he stepped back out into the cold, icy night.
Yeah, so I would wait for the Spider-Man sheet before applying for Venom/Eddie?
I assume that certain pizza-loving mutated turtles won't be welcomed. Would Venom/Eddie be acceptable alternatives?
<Snipped quote by Bounce>
We've tried to run a Indie Comics game (and thats far more focused than such a idea) a few times and we always end up with these issues, I agree. The only one who really feels inspired is whoever gobbles up the TMNT or Hellboy, I find.
Did someone say TMNT?
I'm just hoping I can play as the TMNT next time around, lmao.
BATMAN
OLD GOTHAM
HOMECOMING - BITTERNESS
Harvey Dent. What more could be said about a childhood friend who undoubtedly had every reason to be furious? It was hard to blame him, given it had been years since their last farewell at a lively high school grad party. Rather than reaching out the moment he landed in Gotham, Bruce let two long weeks drift by in complete silence, with each day stretching on until Harvey decided he'd had enough and undoubtedly contacted Alfred to set up this long-awaited reunion. Seated outside a vibrant café, Harvey was finishing typing on his phone when he spotted Bruce approaching, an air of awkwardness trailing him like a shadow. As he took a seat across from his old friend, the tension was palpable, to say the least.
"Hey there, how's it going?" Bruce offered a hopeful smile, clearly aiming to lighten the mood.
Harvey raised an eyebrow, his face shifting into a scowl as he shot back with biting sarcasm. "'How's it going?' Seriously, Bruce? That's the best you can do after disappearing for eight years? No letters, no texts—just this? Impressive, truly."
"I needed to find myself, you know that." Bruce replied, a hint of regret flickering across his face as he spoke.
"Find yourself? Since when does 'ghosting' everyone in your life count as self-discovery." Harvey retorted, his voice edging towards a shout. "I never thought you'd just disappear on us—especially not on Alfred. He needed you just as much as you needed him. That girl from the repair shop and I had to step in, trying to fill the void you left behind. Just thinking about it gets me so fucking furious, Bruce."
Harvey was always merciless, his bluntness a constant since their middle school days. Fortunately, that hard-edged demeanor hadn't dulled with time. Perhaps that was exactly what Bruce needed—a stark reminder of the consequences of his choices, something Alfred would never have the heart to deliver. Feeling the weight of his friend's words, Bruce realized how much he had missed their dynamic over the years of travel. With a shaky breath, he finally admitted, "You're right. I shouldn't have pushed you, Alfred, or anyone else away. Yet, I chose to. Now, I'm here to make things right—not just with you, but with everyone I've hurt with my choice. I am genuinely sorry."
Bruce noticed a subtle shift in Harvey's demeanor; the fire in his eyes began to cool. He let out a deep sigh, and a faint smile crept onto his face. "Well, it's a start," he said, the edge in his voice softening.
"I guess those years away have worked some magic. You've actually grown up a bit." Harvey teased, unable to resist a jab.
Bruce chuckled in response. "You have as well, Chief Deputy District Attorney Dent."
"Yeah, well, nothing like uncovering the depths of Gotham's corruption to speed up the aging process," Harvey said with a bitter chuckle, shaking his head as a wry grin crept onto his face. "And what about those student loans!"
Alfred had informed him about Harvey's rise in the legal field. Fresh out of law school, Harvey participated in a groundbreaking lawsuit against the renowned Doctor Thorne for medical malpractice stretching years, resulting in revoking his medical license. Harvey caught the attention of the former District Attorney, who nominated him for his current position just before passing away from liver failure. Now, with a special election looming to fill the vacant position, whispers began to swirl that Harvey might be contemplating a run. It felt as if Gotham itself was beckoning to him, recognizing the potential hidden within the man willing to grapple with the shadows. This sensation was all too hauntingly familiar for Bruce—an echo of his current crusade. But this was something that could easily be something truly monumental. Unable to shake his curiosity, he leaned closer to his friend and asked:
"I've caught wind of your ambition to run for DA. Is there truth to those rumors?"
Harvey looked surprised before quickly giving way to a flash of irritation. "Don't put any stock in whatever the Gazette is spinning."
Bruce raised an eyebrow with a sly grin. "That's a shame. I honestly think you'd make a fantastic DA."
"Oh, y-you really think so?" Harvey stammered, his surprise giving way to an unmistakable spark of interest.
"Absolutely, Dent. You've always been the one to take a stand against injustice. I checked out your record as a prosecutor, and honestly, it's extraordinary. Taking down a caporegime in your first year? Getting justice for the victims of Dr. Thorne? I remember that day you almost got suspended for standing up to Tommy because you were fed up with his bullying. That moment made it clear to me: you were destined for greatness. And now, you have the chance to do even more." Bruce's voice was warm and sincere as he touched his friend's hand reassuringly. "I want a safer Gotham, and I'm convinced you're the only official who can make it happen."
Harvey sat speechless, the weight of the moment enveloping him. "I... I need to discuss this with Gilda. She's been encouraging me to run."
Bruce's eyes widened in surprise. "Gilda? Gilda Gold?" The name seemed to spark a flash of old memories, and his expression brightened at the revelation. The smile that spread across Harvey's face spoke volumes, filling Bruce with unexpected delight. Gilda had been a cherished friend from middle school, but she only knew Harvey from high school before moving away during their sophomore year. Now, the news of their rekindled friendship intrigued him more.
"Wow, how did that even happen?" Bruce asked.
"Well, she ended up attending the same law school as me, and then things just fell into place. We've been together for three years now. I really think she's the one." There was a warmth in Harvey's tone that made Bruce's heart swell with joy for his friend. Yet, amidst the happiness, a bittersweet ache lingered within him—a sorrowful reminder of the love that remained just out of reach as his crusade pressed onward.
"Hey there, how's it going?" Bruce offered a hopeful smile, clearly aiming to lighten the mood.
Harvey raised an eyebrow, his face shifting into a scowl as he shot back with biting sarcasm. "'How's it going?' Seriously, Bruce? That's the best you can do after disappearing for eight years? No letters, no texts—just this? Impressive, truly."
"I needed to find myself, you know that." Bruce replied, a hint of regret flickering across his face as he spoke.
"Find yourself? Since when does 'ghosting' everyone in your life count as self-discovery." Harvey retorted, his voice edging towards a shout. "I never thought you'd just disappear on us—especially not on Alfred. He needed you just as much as you needed him. That girl from the repair shop and I had to step in, trying to fill the void you left behind. Just thinking about it gets me so fucking furious, Bruce."
Harvey was always merciless, his bluntness a constant since their middle school days. Fortunately, that hard-edged demeanor hadn't dulled with time. Perhaps that was exactly what Bruce needed—a stark reminder of the consequences of his choices, something Alfred would never have the heart to deliver. Feeling the weight of his friend's words, Bruce realized how much he had missed their dynamic over the years of travel. With a shaky breath, he finally admitted, "You're right. I shouldn't have pushed you, Alfred, or anyone else away. Yet, I chose to. Now, I'm here to make things right—not just with you, but with everyone I've hurt with my choice. I am genuinely sorry."
Bruce noticed a subtle shift in Harvey's demeanor; the fire in his eyes began to cool. He let out a deep sigh, and a faint smile crept onto his face. "Well, it's a start," he said, the edge in his voice softening.
"I guess those years away have worked some magic. You've actually grown up a bit." Harvey teased, unable to resist a jab.
Bruce chuckled in response. "You have as well, Chief Deputy District Attorney Dent."
"Yeah, well, nothing like uncovering the depths of Gotham's corruption to speed up the aging process," Harvey said with a bitter chuckle, shaking his head as a wry grin crept onto his face. "And what about those student loans!"
Alfred had informed him about Harvey's rise in the legal field. Fresh out of law school, Harvey participated in a groundbreaking lawsuit against the renowned Doctor Thorne for medical malpractice stretching years, resulting in revoking his medical license. Harvey caught the attention of the former District Attorney, who nominated him for his current position just before passing away from liver failure. Now, with a special election looming to fill the vacant position, whispers began to swirl that Harvey might be contemplating a run. It felt as if Gotham itself was beckoning to him, recognizing the potential hidden within the man willing to grapple with the shadows. This sensation was all too hauntingly familiar for Bruce—an echo of his current crusade. But this was something that could easily be something truly monumental. Unable to shake his curiosity, he leaned closer to his friend and asked:
"I've caught wind of your ambition to run for DA. Is there truth to those rumors?"
Harvey looked surprised before quickly giving way to a flash of irritation. "Don't put any stock in whatever the Gazette is spinning."
Bruce raised an eyebrow with a sly grin. "That's a shame. I honestly think you'd make a fantastic DA."
"Oh, y-you really think so?" Harvey stammered, his surprise giving way to an unmistakable spark of interest.
"Absolutely, Dent. You've always been the one to take a stand against injustice. I checked out your record as a prosecutor, and honestly, it's extraordinary. Taking down a caporegime in your first year? Getting justice for the victims of Dr. Thorne? I remember that day you almost got suspended for standing up to Tommy because you were fed up with his bullying. That moment made it clear to me: you were destined for greatness. And now, you have the chance to do even more." Bruce's voice was warm and sincere as he touched his friend's hand reassuringly. "I want a safer Gotham, and I'm convinced you're the only official who can make it happen."
Harvey sat speechless, the weight of the moment enveloping him. "I... I need to discuss this with Gilda. She's been encouraging me to run."
Bruce's eyes widened in surprise. "Gilda? Gilda Gold?" The name seemed to spark a flash of old memories, and his expression brightened at the revelation. The smile that spread across Harvey's face spoke volumes, filling Bruce with unexpected delight. Gilda had been a cherished friend from middle school, but she only knew Harvey from high school before moving away during their sophomore year. Now, the news of their rekindled friendship intrigued him more.
"Wow, how did that even happen?" Bruce asked.
"Well, she ended up attending the same law school as me, and then things just fell into place. We've been together for three years now. I really think she's the one." There was a warmth in Harvey's tone that made Bruce's heart swell with joy for his friend. Yet, amidst the happiness, a bittersweet ache lingered within him—a sorrowful reminder of the love that remained just out of reach as his crusade pressed onward.
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